Peter Sagan has outlined his goals for the 2014 season, saying that he is determined to try to win two of the top Spring Classics that he had near-misses in this year.
“Milan Sanremo and Flanders are for me personally the most interesting events. They are the biggest Classics in Italy and Belgium. I would like to win them, focussing on them the most in the upcoming season,” he told Sport.sk.
The Slovakian went close to taking the victory in both this year. He was the favourite to take the win in Sanremo when he infiltrated a small breakaway group which was clear heading into the finale, but was unexpectedly outsprinted by MTN Qhubeka’s Gerald Ciolek and had to be content with second place.
He was also in the selection in the Ronde Van Vlaanderen, but had no answer when Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) attacked hard and soloed to victory. He also picked up second there, rueing what might have been.
In addition to his Classics targets, Sagan also wants to take what would be a third green jersey in the Tour de France. Riding strongly in the world championship is another priority. He is still just 23 years of age and can realistically expect to keep improving for several years.
Given what he has achieved thus far, he’s regarded as one of the top talents in the sport, and it seems a case of when and not if he will become world champion.
After the season he took a complete break from the bike, going travelling in some exotic places. “We were in Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia,” he said. “Though we were there for seventeen days, it passed so quickly…it was unbelievable. I was so looking forward to going there…I really needed a rest after a difficult season, and I really enjoyed it.”
He said that he soaked up the heat and swam, went to various touristic sights and also fed elephants in Thailand. “For me that was something unusual, but also interesting,” he said.
Now ready to work hard for the upcoming season, he and his Cannondale Pro Cycling team will meet this week for a training camp in Italy. He said that his programme will be clarified there, after which he will know what his first races will be. He said that it is possible that he will once again begin with the Tour de San Luis, his first race of 2013.
Sagan was frustrated to miss out in Sanremo and Flanders, but did take two big one day successes last spring in Gent Wevelgem and the Brabantse Pijl. Later in the year he won the GP Cycliste de Montréal, underlining again his ability in single day events.
He also clocked up a large number of other victories, taking stages in the Tour de France, USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Tour of California, Tour of Alberta, Tour of Oman, Tour de Suisse, Three Days of De Panne and Tirreno Adriatico.
In all he won 22 races, underlining his position as one of the top names in the sport. Given his constant progression plus what he says will be a stronger Cannondale team in 2014, he could well have an even more successful season in 2014.